The Importance of Learning Business English
In this age of global communications, many businesses and professionals are being let down by the simplest of tools - the language they speak. English has undoubtedly become the universal language of business and as a result many companies, and not only the large multinational corporations, are now fully aware of the need for their employees to have a good command of English.
Communication problems in business result in deals being lost, unsuccessful meetings and negotiations, an inability to compete for overseas business, and in general, they represent a real obstacle to carrying out all manner of international business. These disadvantages can easily be overcome by having the confidence and ability to perform these tasks in English.
On a personal level, possessing competent English language skills is a sure way of giving you an edge at an interview, opening up more interesting career prospects, and increasing your earning potential. In an increasingly competitive world, we are already witnessing more and more organisations favouring, and indeed requiring, applicants who are bi-lingual.
Another important point relates to the fact that a great deal of literature and research essential to the business world, and particularly business education, is written in the English language. Mastering specific business terminology, therefore, becomes important in order to fully understand and make sense of the mass of English business information - including company reports, research papers and economic journals - presented in the English language.
The snowballing of business information and data on the Internet can be fully exploited with a working knowledge of English. The influence of political and economic power has made the Internet a virtual English-language empire and most studies predict that English will continue to dominate the Internet in the future. At present about 70 percent of Internet content is in English, of which business content constitutes a considerable quantity. This further highlights the importance of proficiency in business English.
Some Facts about English:
- It is the official language of the European Central Bank, even though the bank is in Frankfurt and neither Britain nor any other predominantly English-speaking country is a member of the European Monetary Union!
- English is the working language of the Asian trade group ASEAN.
- Currently about 70 percent of Internet content is in English, but only about 44 percent of Internet users are native English speakers.
- It is the de facto working language of 98 percent of German research physicists and 83 percent of German research chemists.
- It is the language in which black parents in South Africa overwhelmingly wish their children to be educated.
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